About

Chinese

One of a Pair of Seals: Zhi-long Dragon, n.d., Qing Dynasty

Not On View

Soapstone

Dimensions: 3 3/8 × 1 1/2 × 3 3/8 in. (8.6 × 3.8 × 8.6 cm)

Gift of F. Karel Wiest, 1982.333.1

It would appear that both seals were carved by the same artist. It is probable that the two seals were owned by the same person and created by the same carver, Xiang-yu, about whom we know nothing. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a good and gracious creature made up of several other animal parts: the head of a camel, horns of a deer, fiery eyes and a long beard, ears of a cow, paws of a tiger, belly of a frog, a serpentine neck, and claws sharp as an eagle’s.